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Chapter One
AZOBENZENE POLYMERS FOR
PHOTONIC APPLICATIONS
Kevin G. Yager and Christopher J. Barrett
1.1. INTRODUCTION TO AZOBENZENE
Azobenzene, with two phenyl rings separated by an azo (-N=N-) bond, serves as
the parent molecule for a broad class of aromatic azo compounds. These
chromophores are versatile molecules, and have received much attention in
research areas both fundamental and applied. The strong electronic absorption
maximum can be tailored by ring substitution to fall anywhere from the ultraviolet
(UV) to visible red regions, allowing chemical fine-tuning of color. This, combined
with the fact that these azo groups are relatively robust and chemically stable, has
prompted extensive study of azobenzene-based structures as dyes and colorants.
The rigid mesogenic shape of the molecule is well suited to spontaneous
organization into liquid crystalline (LC) phases, ... read full excerpt from Smart Light-Responsive Materials: Azobenzene-Containing Polymers and Liquid Crystals ebook
